Groundhog Day Prognostication

Early this Groundhog Day morning up on Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney Phil emerged to pronounce his yearly prognostication about the duration of winter. Since Phil has been 100% correct for over 120 years, we would do well to heed his prediction. With our snowpack and water storage both on the dismal side right now, it will be good to know what's coming up so we can plan accordingly.

In 2008, Phil saw his shadow. For those not familiar with the legend, it is explained thus - if Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, there will be an early spring. How this translates to far flung locales like Reno is part of Phil's mysterious powers of prediction. Ours is only to have faith and believe. If it doesn't go the way we want, we'll just have to deal with it.

This morning, Punxsutawney Phil made his forecast. Here it is, straight from Gobbler's Knob...

"Hear Ye Hear Ye.
On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time,
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be."

I feel better now. We're going to get more rain and snow before spring really gets here, though it has been spring-like for most of 2009 so far. Don't put away that snow shovel just yet.

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